Pakistan violated airspace, used Turkish-made Asisguard Songar models: Colonel
NEW DELHI, May 9:
Indian armed forces responded proportionately and adequately to Pakistan’s attempts to target Indian installations last night, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Friday.
The foreign secretary was addressing a press conference here.
Pakistan violated Indian airspace to target our military installations on the intervening night of May 8 and 9, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh said.
She said Pakistan sent 300-400 drones in 36 locations from Leh to Sir Creek last night to target Indian military installations and the drones were shot down by Indian military.
Pakistan violated Indian airspace to target our military installations, she said.
In his remarks, Misri said the Pakistani side targeted places of worship with a particular design and it is a new low even for that country.
In a major escalation along India’s western front, the Pakistani army carried out multiple airspace violations and drone intrusions on the night of May 7 and 8, targeting Indian military infrastructure.
Addressing a press briefing on Friday, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi revealed that 300 to 400 drones were deployed across 36 locations, with several being shot down by Indian forces using both kinetic and non-kinetic methods. Initial investigations suggest the drones were Turkish-made Asisguard Songar models. Colonel Sofiya Qureshi said during the press briefing, “On the night of May 7 and 8, the Pakistani army violated Indian airspace several times over the entire western border to target military infrastructure. Not only this, the Pakistani army also fired heavy-calibre weapons along the Line of Control. Around 300 to 400 drones were used to attempt infiltration at 36 locations.”
She added, “The Indian armed forces shot down many of these drones using kinetic and non-kinetic means. The possible purpose of such large-scale aerial intrusions was to test air defence systems and collect intelligence. Forensic investigation of the wreckage of the drones is being done. Initial reports suggest that they are Turkish Asisguard Songar drones…”
During the press briefing, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh said, “Pakistan did not close its civil airspace despite it launching a failed unprovoked drone and missile attack on May 7 at 08:30 pm. Pakistan is using a civil airliner as a shield, knowing fully well that its attack on India would elicit a swift air defence response. This is unsafe for unsuspecting civil airliners, including international flights that fly near IB between India and Pakistan. The screenshot we just showed shows the data of the application FlightRadar24 during a high air defence alert situation in the Punjab sector.”
She added, “As you have seen, the airspace on the Indian side is absolutely devoid of civil air traffic due
‘Pakistan attempted
to our declared closure. However, there are civil airlines flying the air route between Karachi and Lahore. Indian Air Force demonstrated considerable restraint in its response, thus ensuring the safety of international civil carriers. In response to the Pakistani attack, armed drones were launched at four air defence sites in Pakistan. One of the drones was able to destroy an AD radar. Pakistan also carried out artillery shelling across the line of control using heavy-calibre artillery guns and armed drones…which resulted in some losses and injuries to Indian army personnel. Pakistan army also suffered major losses in Indian retaliatory fire.”
Escalating its tensions with India, Pakistan targeted Jammu using Hamas-style missiles to target multiple areas on Thursday, defence sources had told ANI.
The sources said the attack resembled a Hamas-style operation in Israel, where multiple cheap rockets were used to target cities.
Pakistan’s attempted retaliation came in the wake of India’s Operation Sindoor, where the Indian armed forces targeted nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on Wednesday.
The operation was a direct response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Earlier on Thursday, the Indian Army had shot down more than 50 Pakistani drones during a large-scale counter-drone operation along the LoC and International Borders (IB), sources.
The Indian Armed Forces also successfully neutralised Pakistan military’s attempts at a large-scale drone and missile attack on multiple Indian military installations across Northern and Western India during the night of May 7-8, and an Air Defence system at Lahore was neutralised.
Foreign secretary Vikram Misri said Pakistan had targeted places of worship of a particular design. India acted “adequately and responsibly” to Pakistan’s actions, he said. Misri also pulled up Pakistan for its “blatantly farcical denial of attacks” and said it is another example of their duplicity.
He said Pakistan’s claims of Indian Army attacking cities like Amritsar and putting the blame on them is “deranged fantasy” that only Pakistan could think of. “We gunned down the drones and the purpose was to test Air Defence systems and gather information,” he added.
He said that India will present the case at the IMF meeting that is presently underway. “We will present our side at the meeting and it is for the board members to decide further. India has responsibly and adequately responded to Pakistan’s actions,” Misri said.
Misri further said that Kartarpur Sahib Corridor has been suspended till further orders in view of the existing security scenario.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh said Pakistan is using civil airliner as a cover despite knowing that attacking India will attract a swift air defence response. This is unsafe for civil airliners including international flights operating near IB between India and Pakistan, she said.
“Pakistan did not close its airspace even after launching drone and missile attack on the evening of May 7. Pakistan is using civil airliner as a shield knowing fully well that its attack on India will lead to a swift air defence response. This is not safe for civil airliners including international flights operating near IB between India and Pakistan. The screenshot we showed reveals the airspace on Indian side is devoid of civil air traffic due to our closure. But there are airlines in the air route between Karachi and Lahore. The Indian Air Force displayed restraint in its response, ensuring safety of international aircraft,” Singh said.
